The University of Kansas

Speakers Bureau links faculty, state

KU has launched a free speakers bureau service to make its professors available to speak in communities of all sizes across the state.

More than 85 faculty members from a broad array of fields already are part of the bureau, which will connect professors with civic, service, professional and educational clubs as well as schools throughout Kansas.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our professors and communities across the state to connect, learn about each other and share information and resources,” said Janet Murguia, executive vice chancellor for university relations.

KU faculty members have been speaking to groups for years, but the process has been an informal one, said Tom Bei-secker, an associate professor of communication studies who helped create the bureau as University Senate president. This is KU’s first centralized speakers bureau.

“We want our faculty to be ambassadors in the state,” he said. “We want the people of Kansas to have a greater understanding of what they’re like and what the university is all about.”

KU’s Office of University Relations is distributing cards at the Kansas State Fair, now under way, and will promote the bureau at KU’s Open House Oct. 5 as well as other venues across the state.

More information: Contact the University Governance office at (785) 864-5169 or govern@ku.edu. Visit the Web site – www.ku.edu/~speakers – for lists of topics and speakers and information on arranging a speaker.